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By Ray Hickson

So far it’s been all about speed with promising mare Bonita Queen and it’s by using her speed that has Bjorn Baker’s team confident she can stretch to 1200m at Randwick on Saturday.

Luke Hilton (Pic: Bradley Photos).

All four of Bonita Queen’s wins have been at 1100m, including her first-up success two weeks ago at Wyong, but there’s a dash of confidence from assistant trainer Luke Hilton that extra 100m won’t cause any issues in the Ranvet Handicap (1200m).

The four-year-old carried 59kg in her all the way first-up win and has an extra 2.5kg to contend with.

“It was a good pipe opener for her at Wyong, she’s fitter, and I like her stretching out to the 1200m,’’ Hilton said.

“I know she’s been all speed but I think she’s got the opportunity to show sustained speed.

“It does tend to make it a touch easier when they get out over further they probably don’t have to do as much work early and leave a bit in hand for late.

“Adam (Hyeronimus) knows her well and the race lines up pretty well, she does go up in weight but hopefully she’ll be able to carry it.”

Bonita Queen, $2.80 with TAB on Friday, was a $550,000 yearling and naturally there are ambitions to graduate her to stakes company but Hilton said the stable’s not in a rush.

If she can run out a strong 1200m it does provide for more opportunities at Group level, particularly for mares, so Saturday is an important exercise while still in benchmark grade.

Hilton said there was significant improvement in the mare from her Wyong win, particularly in the coat, and he’s seen that progression in the past week or so.

“She has an amazing pedigree and obviously the goal is to look at back type as well,’’ he said.

“If she can tick the 1200m box it opens up a few more doors going forward.

“Whether it is this carnival or next, we want to work her through to 1200m to give her the chance in those mares races."

It wasn’t plan A for Our Anchorage to be tackling the Complete Freight Services Handicap (2000m) but Hilton said the opportunity to get in with 54.5kg was too good to pass up.

The six-year-old notched his first fresh win when scoring over 1800m on the Kensington track last Wednesday week and drops 7kg.

“He was potentially going next week in a 78 but this came up not as strong as what we thought,’’ Hilton said.

“He gets in with a pretty good weight and he was great the other day first-up over the 1800m.

“There doesn’t look to be a heap of pressure in it, he needs to get into his comfort zone, and it’s a nice stepping stone back into Saturday grade.

“The good move from Bjorn was starting him out at the 1800m, he highlighted that he’s going to need a trip and gave him that opportunity. And the horse seemed to relish it.”

Bonita Queen wins at Wyong on January 11

Luke Hilton on Sandpaper (race 8): “There doesn’t look to be tons of pressure inside so he may be more positive and up to 1400m that’s his natural racing pattern anyway. He’s come through that run great, he’s got to carry a bit of weight, and it’s another nice race for him.”

On All In The Mind (race 8): “He was really good at Wyong and probably a little bit hidden. If he gets a good tempo in the run he will be hitting the line very hard.”

On Hezdarnhottoo (race 9): “We get a nice dry track this week, it’s a little bit of a sticky draw to contend with. We’ll have a look at the races throughout the day to see whether he rolls forward, Sunshine Coast highlighted that he can take a sit. It adds a bit of versatility to his bow which he’ll need going up in grade.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting